TED talks lesson: Logan Laplante on “Hack-schooling”

This is a discussion class for higher levels (high B2 – C2) based around the Logan Laplante’s TED talk video on “hack-schooling” a form of home schooling based round applicable skills and hands-on experience.

The video is 11 minutes long so I set it for homework the lesson before so that students could watch and rewatch as many times as they needed to fully understand it. Alternatively, you could watch it in class if you have time.

Vocabulary

Logan uses some skier/skater American slang, for example:

To be stoked – to be excited about/interested in something

to be bummed out – to be annoyed/disappointed

Other vocab that might need highlighting:

To log out of reality – to escape from reality

mashup – a mixture/fusion of different elements

hacker mindset – a mindset is a set of attitudes a person has

Discussion questions

What was your first impression of Logan?

How old is he?

Is he a typical 13 year old?

What are the 8 keys to happiness? (Exercise/diet and nutrition/time in nature/contribution and service to others/relationships/recreation/religious and spiritual)

What do you think of this idea?

How does he define a “hacker”? (A person who changes and improves established systems)

What is “hack-schooling”? (opportunistic learning that doesn’t follow a curriculum with no fixed structure)

What do you think of this idea?

How and what does Logan learn?

Is it for everyone?

Is it only for people from a privileged background?

“Schools are orientated towards making a living rather than making a life” What do you think of this statement? Do you agree?

Do students today learn applicable skills?

What do you think Logan is going to be when he grows up?

What would your friends say if you pulled your children out of school?

Role-play

Put students in pairs of groups of 3 and have them role play the last question, student A has decided to pull their kids out of school to teach them at home, student B thinks they are crazy!

Debate

“The education system does not prepare students for life.”

Split group in to two groups, 1 in support and 1 against the motion. Follow standard debate structure, 2 minute opening arguments, rebuttals etc.